Got "300" today

[Smackos]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

'300' PQ! ALL SHOULD READ!

Hello everyone. I'm new to the forums here at Blu-ray.com but I am anything but inexperienced when it comes to Blu-ray. As a reviewer for http://www.eyecravdvd.com I have strictly focused on the superior format that is BD. I have yet to get my hands on a copy of '300' on BD, but was lucky enough to win an HD-DVD copy with an HD-DVD player a week ago at a WB Press Event for the films upcoming release. The PQ sucks!!!

At first I believed it to be the fact that it was an inferior HD-DVD product, but then I viewed it a second time with the director commentary turned on. Within the first 15 minutes, ZACK SNYDER describes that he intentionally used a processing technique known as "CRUSH" to oversaturate and darken the image. I understand why he did it: to emphasize the graphic novel artistry. However, I personally think he went a little overboard with the technique. And I know that it isn't just the HD-DVD transfer because the "entire film sans-CGI" Picture-In-Picture that accompanies Snyders commentary (not available on BD release) looks impeccably clean. Unfortunately, the BD release will look just as "CRUSHED".

I do wish that I could watch the final product without all of the grain and saturation!

I saw 300 at the cinema and yes the Blacks were crushed and everything had a brownish tone to it but again if it was the intention of the director for the film to look like this and Blu-ray(or HD DVD for that matter) faithfully reproduces what the film maker intended then no complaints from me. Hi-Def does'nt always have to mean cristal clear, just reproduce what I get in the cinema or better and I'll be happy. For example if ever they stick War of the Worlds (Re-make) on Hi-Def then it'll look bleached out as much as it did on DVD etc and will look muted and colourless but it'll be how the director wanted it.. personally I never had a problem with 300 in the cinema so don't see why I should now.

Welcome to the forum, the more the merrier...